re-install windows xp professional --- again

i have an old EVO (1gig memory & a 55G hd) which i upgraded to Windows XP Professional (now SP3) abt 7+years ago. strictly used at home. i've never had virus/malware/trojans.

i have the original disks & keys which i purchased directly from MS and it is on file/record with them. when i ran into insurmountable trouble, in the past i just reinstalled XP and my other programs. i use a wireless router. my ip provider is comcast which provides Norton Security Suite which is loaded on my pc. i have a printer.

i use the internet for mail and to search for my hobby supplies. i prefer IE 7 for which i have the purchased disk-keys.

i use MS Office 97 word and excel (because i don't like the newer disk hog Offices i have the purchased disks and keys.

i use googleearth, the scriptures, arc soft for fotos, tom tom, nikon software for fotos loaded on pc.

problem: don't know the origins but it seems to be related to upgrading to installing the Norton Suite, upgraded to IE8, and set MS Office Excel to run in compatibility mode in the same few days. since then my pc settings change arbitrarily and constantly (color reverts to 8 bits, i'm required to sign on to my pc . in addition LSASS.EXE file hogs cpu for >an hour at abt 60-100% at each start up. i have checked for the virus "ILASS" mistakenly confused with LSASS. my pc is infection free.

i want to reinstall the op.sys. the last time i did it (march 2009) i had to call MS Windows Product Activation who gave me a different key. (evidently the software can only be installed on the same pc a limited number of times. when i reinstall it it will be the 3rd time .....

i have a 1-yr old laptop but i prefer my desktop and its large monitor and can't adjust to upgraded versions of Excel. my wife uses the laptop.

do you foresee any problems, drawbacks or have any suggestions/recommendations for me other than taking it to a shop to do the work for me ? do i really need a new key or was that a fluke ?

thanx for anything you may offer

john

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